Multi-purpose precast barrier

ABSTRACT

A barrier to vehicular passage is described. The barrier is cast from dense, heavy material and has a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces. The barrier forms (A) a top and a bottom surface, which are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, and (B) four non-vertical side surfaces wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of at least one side surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the opposing side surface. Methods of use of the barrier or a plurality of barriers are also described.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/338,021, filed Nov. 7, 2001, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to precast barriers for use as barricades.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A need exists for an aesthetically pleasing, movable heavy dutybarrier for securing an area or structure from unauthorized vehicularaccess. A need also exists for a barricade system which providesprotection to designated areas while at the same time enablingauthorized traffic access and using a reduced amount of concrete or likefabrication material. A need also exists for a barrier which may be putto use in a variety of other uses or applications when not required aspart of a barricade system.

[0004] The present invention is deemed to satisfy these and other needsby providing, in one embodiment, a portable barrier having a pyramidalor frusto-pyramidal shape constructed of dense, heavy material, whichoptionally can be adapted to incorporate discrete aesthetic features.Preferably, the portable barrier has a frusto-pyramidal shape formed bya bottom surface, a top surface, two opposing side surfaces and a frontsurface opposing a back surface in which the angle of inclination of thefront surface from vertical is greater than the angle of inclination ofthe back surface from vertical. The area of the top surface typically issmaller than that of the bottom surface, and these two surfacespreferably are substantially parallel to each other and to the ground orsupport medium so as to provide a sturdy, truncated pyramid shape forthe barrier. The geometry of the barrier's shape and its heavy weightensure that any vehicle which might attempt to travel over the barriermember from the direction of its front surface will be significantlyhindered in its forward motion. The shape, size and weight of thebarrier member make it unlikely that it can be dislodged or dragged anysignificant distance if hit by a vehicle from any direction.

[0005] Another embodiment of this invention is the aforesaid barrierfurther comprising anchoring means for anchoring the barrier at a pointproximate to the imaginary axis formed along the intersection of thebottom and back surfaces, so that, upon a sufficient impact to the frontsurface of the barrier by a vehicle, the barrier will rotatesubstantially about the imaginary axis. In this way, as a strikingvehicle travels up the inclined front surface, the barrier rocksbackward and rotates about the imaginary axis because of the anchoringmeans (e.g., dowel pin). The bottom surface will then swing up and backunder the advancing vehicle, causing the vehicle to be further liftedand disabled to effectively stop it from entering the restricted area.

[0006] Another embodiment of this invention is a method of impairingvehicular passage into a restricted area by providing one or morebarriers as configured above. Each barrier will preferably furthercomprise the anchoring means described above. Providing such an anchorwill provide the pivot point along the intersection of the bottomsurface and the back surface of the barrier which will enable thebarrier to tilt up and back when struck by a vehicle along the barrier'sfront surface, thus further hindering the vehicle's forward progress bydisabling it on the barrier.

[0007] Yet another embodiment of this invention is a method of limitingvehicular access to designated areas by providing a perimeter barricadeformed from a plurality of barriers linked together. The barrierspreferably are linked together with wire rope which passes through acylindrical aperture or bore in each barrier. Any vehicle encounteringsuch a barricade of linked barriers will be impeded in its motion,either by running over a barrier and becoming disabled upon it, bystriking the linking cable and being stopped by the weight and tensionof the barricade as a whole, or by striking a portion of the barrier anda section of cable. If the vehicle strikes a barrier but not at such anangle as to become disabled by it, the inertia of the barriers andlinked cables will serve to quickly slow and stop the vehicle.

[0008] Another embodiment of this invention is a mold or form, shaped,sized and configured, to provide a barrier in accordance with thisinvention.

[0009] These and other embodiments, features, and advantages of thisinvention will be become still further apparent from the ensuingdescription and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view, obliquely from above, of a barrieraccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a view of the front surface of the barrier of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the barrier of FIG. 1, takenalong lines 3A-3A in FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3B is the same view of FIG. 3A, modified to illustrateanother preferred embodiment of this invention which includes ananchoring pin.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a side view of a lateral surface of another embodimentof this invention.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a side view of a lateral surface of yet anotherembodiment of this invention.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a side view of a lateral surface of yet anotherembodiment of this invention.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a barricade system according to apreferred embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mold for forming one or more ofthe preferred barriers of this invention.

[0019] In each of the above figures, like numerals are used to refer tolike or functionally like parts among the several figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Preferred embodiments of this invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying figures.

[0021] One preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A,which show a portable barrier 10 forming six surfaces so as to define afrusto-pyramidal shape. The surfaces include a front surface 12, a backsurface 14, a top surface 16, a bottom surface 18, a lateral surface 20,and a lateral surface 22. There is a cylindrical bore 24 which extendsthrough barrier 10 from lateral surface 20 to lateral surface 22. Bore24 is substantially parallel to top surface 16. As depicted, barrier 10is part of a barrier system in which a steel cable 26 is threadedthrough bore 24 so that barrier 10 serves as part of a larger barricadesystem in which several portable, spaced-apart barriers of likeconfiguration are linked by steel cable to provide a perimeterbarricade. A loop ferrule insert 28, constructed of metal and imbeddedin concrete, is depicted in FIG. 1 as having an open threaded end. Suchinserts can provide attachment points for sign posts, bolts, poles, etc.Though only one insert 28 is shown, a plurality of these can be providedon any surface of barrier 10. Eyebolt 30 is shown screwed into a coilloop insert 31 (shown on FIGS. 3A and 3B). A hook 34 of a cable 36 whichcan be part of a crane, hoist, winch or other lifting means (not shown),is depicted hooked into the eye of eyebolt 30. A decorative element 32is attached to front surface 12. Such decorative elements, hereindepicted as a metal cast fleur-de-lis emblem, can take many forms andshapes such as letters, symbols, signs, logos, etc. Two open, elongateslots 38, 38 defined by bottom surface 18 of barrier 10 readilyaccommodate forks of a conventional forklift (not shown) to enablelifting, moving and positioning of barrier 10.

[0022]FIG. 2 illustrates in a front plan view the two elongate slots38,38. The perimeter of each open end of each slot 38 is chamfered toprevent unsightly damage to barrier 10 during interaction with forks ofa forklift or the like. Eyebolt 30 is shown threaded into insert 31(shown on FIGS. 3A and 3B only). In the preferred embodiment shown, theangles of inclination from vertical of lateral surface 20 and lateralsurface 22, depicted as Z°, are the same, and Z° preferably is an anglein the range of about 20 to about 50° from the respective imaginaryvertical axes shown in broken line. More preferably, Z° is an angle inthe range of about 25 to about 35°, and most preferably is an angle ofabout 28°.

[0023]FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment ofthe invention as seen along the lines 3A-3A in FIG. 1. It can beobserved that top surface 16 is smaller than bottom surface 18, thusproviding stability to barrier 10 due to its geometric configuration.Eyebolt 30 has been screwed into coil loop 31 on front surface 12.Another internally threaded insert 28 is depicted on top surface 16which can serve as the point of attachment of optional elements (notshown) such as poles, sign posts, light supports, etc. It can be seenthat inserts 28 and 31 are embedded in concrete up to the beginning ofthe threaded area. Cylindrical bore 24 with cable 26 present therein isshown. Placement of cylindrical bore 24 is shown as near front surface12 and top surface 16 but may be located elsewhere. However, bore 24and/or the opening or face of insert 31 are preferably located on thevertical axis of the center of gravity for barrier 10, so that thebarrier remains stable during lifting at either point and duringpositioning of the barrier. Fleur-de-lis element 32 is shown attached tofront surface 12 by means of a plurality of pins which are part of thecast element and extend into the concrete of barrier 10. Front surface12 is shown as having an angle of inclination from vertical of X°. X° ispreferably an angle in the range of about 25 to about 55° from therespective imaginary vertical axes, also shown in broken line. Morepreferably, X° is an angle in the range of about 30 to about 45°, andmost preferably is an angle of about 35°. Back surface 14 is shown ashaving an angle of inclination from vertical of Y°. Y° is preferably anangle in the range of about 0 to about 30° from the respective imaginaryvertical axes shown in broken line. More preferably, Y° is an angle inthe range of about 5 to about 15°, and most preferably is an angle ofabout 11°.

[0024] Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3B,which is a cross-sectional view as in FIG. 3A, with one modification.Barrier 10 is shown to have an anchoring means in the form of an opening40 in bottom surface 18 which receives a pivot dowel pin 42 embedded ina support surface 44. Support surface 44 can be the concrete or asphaltsurface of the parking lot, sidewalk, ground or other area where barrier10 is to be utilized to impede unwanted vehicular traffic. As seen inFIG. 3B, opening 40 is positioned proximate to the intersection ofsurfaces 18 and 14, which intersection itself defines the imaginary axisa (as seen in FIG. 1) about which the barrier will rotate in the eventof a direct strike to front surface 12.

[0025]FIG. 4 depicts another preferred embodiment of this invention.Post member 46 is attached to top surface 16 by use of hex bolt 48. Hexbolt 48 has been passed through a flange 50 of post member 46 beforebeing threaded into a insert 28 (shown in FIG. 3A). One or a pluralityof such bolts 48 may be used with a plurality of threaded inserts toaccomplish attachment of post member 46. Another preferred embodiment ofthe invention, depicted in FIG. 5, comprises a pole member 52 having aflanged end 50 which is attached to top surface 16 by means of four hexbolts 48 (only 2 shown). Hex bolts 48 have been passed through flange 50and screwed into corresponding inserts 28 (as may be seen in FIG. 3A).

[0026]FIG. 6 represents an embodiment of the invention which comprisesbarrier 10 disposed along support surface 44 of the parking lot, forexample, wherein back surface 14 is adjacent to pivot pin 42 which issecurely embedded in support surface 44. This pivot pin arrangement isyet another anchoring means which may be employed to encourage thebarrier to flip over in the desired direction in the event of asufficient strike to the front face of the barrier. Other anchoringmeans besides those already mentioned could include, e.g., one or morespikes driven through the barrier or apertures in the barrier, to anchorthe barrier to the ground at the desired location previously described.

[0027]FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention whichcomprises a barricade system for impairing vehicular passage and moreparticularly vehicular and pedestrian passage into a restricted area.Barriers 10,10, as previously described, are shown linked together bycable 26. Also shown is flange 50 attached to top surface 16 and to apost member 54 of a fence 56. Fence 56 is shown as a chain link-typefence with anti-personnel wire disposed at its top region, but fence 56can be any suitable type of fencing, such as, but not limited to,wooden, metal, metal alloy and masonry.

[0028] As may be seen with reference to FIG. 8, barriers of thisinvention may be formed using a mold 60 which can be filled withconcrete. The mold is sized and configured to produce barriers of thisinvention. In the preferred embodiment depicted, mold 60 can produce upto five barriers at a time. Opposing turning trunnions 62 (only oneshown) are attached to a mold frame 64 which defines five cavities 66 inwhich the barriers are cast. A crane or similar lifting device may beattached to trunnions 62 for lifting the mold for rotation and removalof the formed product after curing. A rod 68 extends through each cavity66 to form bore 24 (see, e.g., FIG. 1) in the barrier produced.Additional forms 70 are placed across each of the cavities 66 to formslots 38 (see, e.g., FIG. 1) in the cast concrete. The illustrated moldframe is made of a metal or metal alloy material for strength anddurability. However, molds of this invention may be fabricated andassembled in different ways without varying from the spirit and scope ofthe invention taught herein. The molds of this invention may, forexample, be formed using different frame designs or configurations, aslong as the mold is configured to form a barrier of this invention.

[0029] The dense, heavy material employed to fabricate barriers of thisinvention will preferably be a concrete material, but may alternativelybe a plastic, thermoplastic, polymer, resin, molten metal, molten metalalloy or the like, as long as the material is sufficiently dense andheavy to provide to the barrier adequate weight and sizingcharacteristics for the intended use.

[0030] It will now be appreciated that this invention provides otherfeatures and advantages. For example, an alternative configuration ofthe barrier can be provided wherein the bottom surface defines a footingor extension of the body of the barrier which is sized and configured toextend down into the support surface or ground to provide the anchoringmeans of this invention.

[0031] For barricade systems of this invention, it will be noted thatthe distance between the barriers and the number of barriers used willbe driven by factors such as the size and shape of the area to beprotected from unwanted vehicular traffic, the desired aestheticappearance, the amount of mass desired for the barricade system, and thenumber of pedestrian access points desired along the length of thebarricade system.

[0032] The barriers of this invention can ensure that a vehicle does nottravel past a certain point while providing a stable and aestheticallypleasing base for a sign, such as a no-parking or other traffic-relatedsignage, a lighting fixture post or the like. The possible uses for thisattachment feature in the top of the barrier are myriad. These uses caninclude, but are not limited to, fencing, traffic direction signs,support for parking lot lights, support for flags, sports equipmentanchors and bases, etc.

[0033] Barriers of this invention may also be configured to havedecorative designs, emblems, letters, etc. attached to the front surfaceto provide artwork or indicia as desired. The barriers may also beconstructed of colored or stained material, exposed aggregate, etched ortextured concrete or the like. The exposed surfaces of the barrier mayalso be supplemented with a decorative surfacing material, e.g.,granite, marble, limestone, slate or the like, to providearchitecturally consistent features and to give the barriers adecorative appearance.

[0034] Although, as herein depicted and described, the barrier is of afrusto-pyramidal shape, a pyramidal shape is also within the scope ofthis invention. However, the different angles specified for the frontsurface and the back surface described above are particularly preferred,since these angles increase the likelihood that the barrier will roll asdescribed herein, increasing the likelihood that a ramming vehicle willbe effectively stopped from passing into the protected area.

[0035] Each and every patent, publication, or commonly-owned patentapplication referred to in any portion of this specification isincorporated in toto into this disclosure by reference, as if fully setforth herein.

[0036] This invention is susceptible to considerable variation in itspractice. Therefore the foregoing description is not intended to limit,and should not be construed as limiting, the invention to the particularexemplifications presented above. Rather, what is intended to be coveredis that subject matter set forth in the following claims and theequivalents thereof permitted as a matter of law.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A barrier to vehicular passage cast from dense, heavy material having a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces, wherein the barrier forms: (A) a top and a bottom surface, which top and bottom surfaces are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, and (B) four non-vertical side surfaces wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of at least one side surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the opposing side surface.
 2. A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the side surfaces comprise opposing first and second lateral surfaces and opposing front and back surfaces and wherein (a) the front surface is inclined from vertical at an angle in the range of about 25 to about 55 degrees, (b) the back surface is inclined from vertical at an angle in the range of about 0 to about 30 degrees, and (c) the first and second lateral surfaces are each inclined from vertical at angles in the range of about 20 to about 50 degrees.
 3. A barrier according to claim 2 which defines a bore extending from the first lateral surface to the second lateral surface, the bore being sized and configured to receive a linking element passing through the bore in order to link two or more other barriers to the barrier.
 4. A barrier according to claim 2 which comprises anchoring means for anchoring the barrier at a point proximate to an imaginary axis formed along the intersection of the bottom and back surfaces, so that, upon sufficient impact to the front surface by a vehicle, the barrier will rotate substantially about the imaginary axis.
 5. A barrier according to claim 4 which defines one or more openings in one or more of the six surfaces.
 6. A barrier according to claim 5 wherein the anchoring means comprises an anchor pin attached to and extending from the support surface under the barrier.
 7. A barrier according to claim 5 wherein the one or more openings are threaded.
 8. A barrier according to claim 1 which forms at least one slot defined by the bottom surface, which slot extends from the central region of the bottom surface to at least one opening in one of the non-vertical side surfaces.
 9. A barrier according to claim 8 which forms two slots on one non-vertical side surface, which two slots are sized and configured to accommodate forks of a fork lift.
 10. A barrier according to claim 7 wherein a threaded eyebolt is threaded into the threaded opening.
 11. A barricade system for impairing vehicular passage into a restricted area comprising: (A) two or more barriers cast from dense, heavy material forming a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces, wherein each barrier forms (1) a top and a bottom surface, which top and bottom surfaces are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, (2) four non-vertical side surfaces wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of at least one side surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the opposing side surface, and (3) a bore extending from one side surface to the opposing side surface, and (B) at least one linking element extending through the bores of each of the two or more barriers, wherein each of the barriers is sized and configured such that the forward motion of a vehicle impacting the barrier will be impeded by inertia of the impacted barrier together with inertia of the linked barriers.
 12. A system according to claim 11 further comprising a fence attached to one or more of the two or more barriers.
 13. A method of impairing vehicular passage into a restricted area, which method comprises: (1) positioning at a perimeter of the area at least one barrier cast from dense, heavy material forming a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces, wherein the barrier forms (A) a top and a bottom surface, which top and bottom surfaces are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, (B) a first and a second lateral surface, and (C) a front and a back surface wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of the front surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the back surface, and (2) anchoring the barrier at a point proximate to an imaginary axis formed along the intersection of the bottom surface and the back surface, such that, upon sufficient impact to the front surface by a vehicle, the barrier member rotates substantially about the imaginary axis, the bottom surface pivots up and back under the vehicle, the vehicle is lifted upon the barrier and further forward motion of the vehicle is impaired.
 14. A method of limiting vehicular access to a designated area comprising (1) positioning at a perimeter of the area a plurality of barriers cast from dense, heavy material each forming a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces wherein each barrier forms (1) a top and a bottom surface, which top and bottom surfaces are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, (2) four non-vertical side surfaces wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of at least one side surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the opposing side surface, and (3) a bore extending from one side surface to the opposing side surface, and (2) linking the plurality of barrier members to one another by passing a linking element through each of the bores, such that the forward motion of a vehicle impacting the barrier will be impeded by inertia of the impacted barrier together with the inertia of the barriers linked thereto.
 15. A mold for forming at least one barrier from a dense, heavy material, wherein the barrier so formed forms a frusto-pyramidal shape of six surfaces comprising: (A) a top and a bottom surface, which top and bottom surfaces are opposing and substantially parallel to each other and wherein the area of the bottom surface is greater than the area of the top surface, and (B) four non-vertical side surfaces wherein the angle of inclination from vertical of at least one side surface is greater than the angle of inclination from vertical of the opposing side surface.
 16. A mold according to claim 15, wherein the side surfaces comprise opposing first and second lateral surfaces and opposing front and back surfaces and wherein (a) the front surface is inclined from vertical at an angle in the range of about 25 to about 55 degrees, (b) the back surface is inclined from vertical at an angle in the range of about 0 to about 30 degrees, and (c) the first and second lateral surfaces are each inclined from vertical at angles in the range of about 20 to about 50 degrees.
 17. A mold according to claim 15, wherein the barrier so formed also defines a bore extending from the first lateral surface to the second lateral surface, the bore being sized and configured to receive a linking element passing through the bore.
 18. A mold according to claim 15, wherein the barrier so formed defines two slots on one non-vertical side surface, which two slots are sized and configured to accommodate forks of a fork lift. 